August 2010

August 23, 2010

I have wanted to make a nature table for several months, after seeing some beautiful ones all over the internet. I keep seeing them in relation to Waldorf education, but I am sure they have been around for ages. Yesterday a kind neighbor took Esme' to the park with her and her daughter, so I got a chance to put the beginnings of our Autumn nature table together. Here it is so far. I am excited to see what treasures the kids want to add as the season goes by.

I also got a chance to cover up the random shelving full of diapers, wipes, shopping bags, etc. I used a curtain that I found at a yard sale a couple of years ago. I had three of them hanging in front of our closet, and swiped one for this project. I used shower hooks to hang them!

And... here are the much more simple bento boxes from days 3 & 4 of Kindergarten.

August 19, 2010

Everyone makes a big deal of the first day of Kindergarten, but I figure the 2nd day is just as big. Here is Esme' on day two of the big K. This photo shows the one new school outfit I bought for her ($8!)

And here is her day two bento box. A bed of rice with a rainbow made of pasta, some cheese and cucumber cut-outs and a rabbit shaped hard-boiled egg. I love taking the time to do things like this for her, but honestly it didn't take that much more time than a more simple looking lunch (maybe an added ten minutes for this one with the dying of the pasta and egg). I don't show her the bentos so that she can have a surprise when she opens them. This morning on our walk to school, I told her that I hoped it would still be intact when she opened it. She said, "Mama, I don't care if it falls apart. I just like that you make my lunches". What a little sweetheart.

On a side note, here is my latest knitting project. I made these mittens for Esme' last year from yarn that a friend hand-dyed and gave to me. Finally, I have made the matching hat!

August 18, 2010

I can't believe this little doll is in Kindergarten already. I had to ask her to smile... she was not too excited about the whole thing, as the photo below shows.

I got up a bit earlier than I normally would to make her a special, first day of school, Totoro bento box!! The Totoro and soot sprite are made of nori and provolone cheese. They are on a bed of sushi rice. The lower half of the bento box is made of grapes, dried apicots and ham (a nod to Ponyo here!!). Not all of her bentos will be so elaborate, but this was so fun to make!!

This photo shows all of her gear. The lunchbox has a leaf print on it (both sides) from a fun leaf printing activity that we did this summer. The idea is from The Artful Parent.

I love you so much, Esme'!!!! Can't wait to see you after school today! Love, Mommy

August 17, 2010

On our last trip to the library, one of the many books we checked out was a book about ballet (it was kind of an unremarkable book in my eyes, so I am not including any photos). On one page, there is a drawing of all the kids dressed up for a ballet performance, and Esme' loved the little girl who was dressed up as a bird. For the next two days, she decided that she also needed to dress up as a bird. Here is what we came up with.

I have to say that this was one of the most successful projects we have ever done in terms of sheer happiness. She wore them around the house all day!! And all for pennies... all you need is scissors, tape and construction paper.

August 10, 2010

Our garden is not beautiful to look at. In true accordance with the name of my blog, I want to share this piece of information. I have always known I would have a garden as an adult. I am proud that I have gotten something started. But I must repeat: our garden is not beautiful to look at. Take a look at our broccoli.

I bet this photo doesn't make you want to come to dinner at my house.

And here is the full list of what we grew this year:

- about 7 strawberries

- about 5 blueberries

- 20 or so cucumbers

- 1 summer squash

- 10 or so peppers

- no peas

- no beets

- no kohlrabi

So, why do I share a story about what seems to be a failed and pathetic garden? Because I believe it is important to be thankful for, and honest about, where we are in life. Of course my family wants a better garden next year. But we did what we could with the money and time (and knowledge) that we had, and honestly I am quite happy with the results.

Our kids could care less about how many fruits and vegetables they pick. They are just so happy to see them grow. Here are some decent (and I say decent because my camera is not great... any camera recommendations?) photos of our harvest.

August 04, 2010

I have been daydreaming about this project at Mother*Lode for a long time, and have finally found the drawings for it! Esme' has so many wonderful drawings and paintings from over the years, but none of them seemed to lend themselves to this project. Today I went on a walk to the grocery store with a baby from my child care, and when I came back I found the above drawing pinned on the wall! Perfect! Esme' calls it "Sea Monster". I am also going to give this peacock a chance. It's one of my very favorite of Esme's drawings ever. She drew a creature for Asher as well, but I don't have it scanned yet.